There were high concentrations of dioxin, most likely orally administered
Michael Zimpfer
Rudolfinerhaus clinic head doctor
Rudolfinerhaus clinic head doctor
Posted on 12/12/2004 12:55:09 AM PST by Happy2BMe
Ukrainian officials are reopening a criminal investigation into opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko's mystery illness, reports say.
On Saturday doctors in Vienna confirmed his condition was caused by poisoning.
The doctors said extensive tests showed a form of dioxin had been used, leaving Mr Yushchenko's face disfigured.
Mr Yushchenko, 50, was taken ill in September as he campaigned for disputed elections that have now been declared invalid because of irregularities.
In October, prosecutors concluded that Mr Yushchenko was suffering the effects of a virus.
But media reports on Saturday said they were cancelling a previous decision to close the case.
'Deeply concerned'
Mr Yushchenko's doctors have described the poisoning as serious and said that, if left untreated, it could have killed him.
'Deeply concerned'
Mr Yushchenko's doctors have described the poisoning as serious and said that, if left untreated, it could have killed him.
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There were high concentrations of dioxin, most likely orally administered
Michael Zimpfer
Rudolfinerhaus clinic head doctor
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His supporters staged mass demonstrations against election fraud after his opponent Viktor Yanukovych was initially declared the winner of November's presidential election.
The second round is now being re-run on 26 December.
Analysts say Mr Yushchenko would have to dispel any doubts about his health before becoming president.
But the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Kiev says the doctors' announcement is likely to boost support for Mr Yushchenko.
The alleged poisoning is set to remain one of the key issues of the election campaign, she says.
The most recent opinion poll has put the opposition leader 10 percentage points ahead of his rival, Viktor Yanukovych.
Poisoned soup?
In Washington, a state department spokeswoman said the United States was "deeply concerned about these findings" and urged Ukrainian authorities to investigate.
I find it horrendous that this kind of attack can happen in a political race
Matt, Edinburgh, Scotland
Mr Yushchenko has accused the Ukrainian authorities of trying to poison him - a charge they reject.
A parliamentary commission in November concluded there was insufficient evidence of poisoning, but doctors have now carried out further tests.
"There is no doubt about the fact that the disease has been caused by a case of poisoning by dioxin," Michael Zimpfer, the head doctor of the Rudolfinerhaus clinic where Mr Yushchenko is undergoing treatment, said.
"There were high concentrations of dioxin, most likely orally administered."
Dr Zimpfer said the substance was soluble and could have been administered in something like soup.
The doctors said their findings were backed by clinical observations and the study of blood and tissue samples.
Large dose
But in Russia, a health ministry official questioned their conclusions.
"Dioxin is not a poison with an immediate effect," Yuri Ostapenko said in an interview with Moscow Echo radio.
"Toxicity builds up over years, dozens of years, and it is impossible to receive a dose one day that would poison you the next."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been backing Mr Yanukovych in the Ukrainian election.
Mr Yushchenko's blood and tissue registered concentrations of dioxin 1,000 times above normal levels.
There appeared to be little lasting damage to Mr Yushchenko's internal organs, though experts say it could take more than two years for his skin to return to normal.
Mr Yushchenko said on arrival at the clinic on Friday that his health was getting "better every day".
Dioxins are common pollutants - produced as the result of many industrial processes.
______________________________________________
But in Russia, a health ministry official questioned their conclusions.
We are talking Putin here. KGB anyone ???
I have heard a theory that he might have taken it himself . Pity vote :-/ ?
I would jump to to Putin conspiracy first ...
Wonder what the longer term effects are. This guy got a very large dose and survived - For now. Anyone know the prognosis going forward?
"Toxicity builds up over years, dozens of years, and it is impossible to receive a dose one day that would poison you the next."
This seems like an incredably stupid statement...
It's not stupidity. It's dissembling propaganda..
...he poisoned himself.../s
There is alot of industrial polution in the Ukraine. Who knows what could have been spilled or dumped around the place. Still, intentional poisoning can't be ruled out either. There is alot of corruption in the Ukraine, not to mention the Russian Mafia as well. Lets not forget that the Ukraine only became an independant country about 10 years ago, and still has much growing to do if it can survive independance. There is still alot of Russian influence there, and Russian assets. No doubt alot of old Bolshevik-red army NKVD loyalists from the communist regime still remain as well. Lefty dreamland. Except one has to be carefull not to trip over skulls that pop out of the ground from the good old collective farming days when Stalin starved 20 million Ukrainians to death.
"The marks on his face could have been caused by stress, that is much more likely."
>>>
Yeah.......that's da ticket! /s
Except one has to be carefull not to trip over skulls that pop out of the ground from the good old collective farming days when Stalin starved 20 million Ukrainians to death.
>>>
...and replaced them with good little 'foreign' Soviet Communists...
WoW! It's amazing he's still alive. all that vodka drinking must toughen up the liver!
They did just that. When the Germans captured "Ukrainians" in uniforms, many of them were actually Soviets. Whole villages were "replaced" by the Soviet Bolsheviks. The resistance to collectivism, mainly Catholic peasantry, were simply shot, or put in prison, when it got full they were shot, or sent to Syberia to chop wood and never to be seen again. Somehow my grandfather survived all that horror, and went back to fight when ww2 broke out, was captured again and survived Treblinka.
Did anyone ever write his biography?
BTTT
Your grandfather was some tough guy to have through that. I hope after the war, things turned out better for him?
...to have 'gone' through that.
Excerpt:
The second round is now being re-run on 26 December.
Analysts say Mr Yushchenko would have to dispel any doubts about his health before becoming president.
But the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Kiev says the doctors' announcement is likely to boost support for Mr Yushchenko.
The alleged poisoning is set to remain one of the key issues of the election campaign, she says.
The most recent opinion poll has put the opposition leader 10 percentage points ahead of his rival, Viktor Yanukovych.
Oh, yeah. He was poisoned - likely by his opponents or their operatives - NOW he has to prove he's healthy enough to serve in office! Nice!
Good to see the poll numbers showing Yushchenko in the lead by 10 points!
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Yushchenko vs. Yanukovych/Ukraine election ping list!. . .don't be shy.
Dioxins: the facts (Ddissolved dioxins in Viktor Yuschenko's soup)
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